News

Over 400 Sydney community members gather IN SOLIDARITY WITH ARTSAKH

SYDNEY: On Wednesday, April 6th, over 400 members of the Sydney Armenian community gathered at an event titled IN SOLIDARITY WITH ARTSAKH at the Armenian Cultural Centre in Willoughby.

The event, organised by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian National National Committee of Australia, the Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, Hamazkaine, the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia and Armenia Media, Inc., was attended by the leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and the Armenian Liberal Democratic (Ramgavar) Party. It was held under the auspices of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh to Australia, Kaylar Michaelian.

After one minute's silence in respect of the fallen soldiers since Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno Karabakh last week, MC Nora Sevagian invited Bishop Haigazoun Najarian - Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand - to lead the crowd in a prayer.

The audience was then treated to a live cross from Armenia - via Skype - with Yerkir Media's Director of News, Gegham Manukyan. Manukyan gave an update on the situation in Nagorno Karabakh, and took questions from Sevagian and the audience.

Kaylar Michaelian then gave an emotional address to the gathered, and passed on words of gratitude from the government of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh followed by a plea to stand strong by Artsakh's side, provide continued moral and financial assistance for the Republic.

ARF Australia Chairman, Haig Kayserian then led the audience in a one minute applause for the soldiers on the frontlines, who had successfully defended Artsakh from Azeri attacks over the last week, without allowing an inch of territory to go to the enemy.

"We can stand in solidarity with these brave souls by doing all we can to deliver peace to Nagorno Karabakh; peace is what our people want, peace is what our people deserve," said Kayserian.

The audience watched video clips from the recent days on the frontline, signed a petition organised by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) to call on the government of Australia to condemn the attacks by Azerbaijan.

On Thursday, 7th April, the Sydney Armenian community gathered at the Armenian Apostolic Church for a prayer service dedicated to those serving the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) made representations to the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull about the injustices of Azerbaijan and Australia's need to rise to the defence of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. A petition by ANC Australia to the Prime Minister has so far collected well over 1,000 signatures.

Due to ANC Australia's efforts, MP for Bennelong, John Alexander also slammed Azerbaijan's attack on the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (CLICK HERE TO READ).

This week, ANC Australia also met with the Russian Ambassador to Australia, as well as Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to present the case for Nagorno Karabakh.

NKR Representative Michaelian was also interviewed by host of the very popular ABC Radio National Breakfast, Fran Kelly, as well as making other media appearances.

Next Saturday, Melbourne will be hosting an IN SOLIDARITY WITH ARTSAKH event, with Kaylar Michaelian and ANC Australia Executive Administrator, Arin Markarian in attendance.